Multilayer drinking can system

ABSTRACT

A dual compartment mixing and drinking container may include two vertically stacked first and second compartments separated by a membrane or seal, each containing one dry or liquid component of a final mixed drink. In operation, each compartment holds one component to be mixed with the other compartment. The container may include a means for opening the container that may also simultaneously puncture the membrane such that the first compartment and the second compartment may be in fluid communication with one another in order to mix the two components upon opening the container.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments generally relate to containers.

BACKGROUND

Beverage containers such as tin cans, steel cans, aluminum cans, plasticcans, and the like typically contain a fluid or content and may beopened via a can opener, pull-tab, or can tab hingedly affixed to thetop of a can such that the top of the can may be partially opened orentirely removed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a variety of concepts in asimplified form that is further disclosed in the detailed description ofthe embodiments. This summary is not intended to identify key oressential inventive concepts of the claimed subject matter, nor is itintended for determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The embodiments described herein generally relate to a dual compartment,dual function mixing and drinking container. The multilayer drinkingsystem may include two vertically stacked first and second compartmentsseparated by a membrane or seal, each containing one dry or liquidcomponent of a final mixed drink. In operation, each compartment holdsone component to be mixed with the other compartment. A user may use atab to open the can which motion also breaks the seal between eachcompartment, causing the components contained within each compartment tomix together.

The multilayer drinking can system is useful for conveniently mixinginfused beverages or any two drink powders and liquids without requiringa separate mixing container. After the two components are mixed themultilayer drinking can system serves as a readily available drinkingcontainer.

Other illustrative variations within the scope of the invention willbecome apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. Thedetailed description and enumerated variations, while disclosingoptional variations, are intended for purposes of illustration only andare not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present embodiments and the advantagesand features thereof will be more readily understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description when considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a multilayer drinking cansystem, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an opener for a multilayerdrinking can system, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a multilayer drinking cansystem, according to some embodiments; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a multilayerdrinking can system, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodimentsdescribed herein are to the described apparatus. Any specific details ofthe embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only, and nounnecessary limitations or inferences are to be understood therefrom.

Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that theembodiments reside primarily in combinations of components andprocedures related to the apparatus. Accordingly, the apparatuscomponents have been represented where appropriate by conventionalsymbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that arepertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure soas not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readilyapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of thedescription herein.

The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodimentsdescribed herein are set forth in this application. Any specific detailsof the embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only, and nounnecessary limitation or inferences are to be understood therefrom.Furthermore, as used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and“second,” “top” and “bottom,” and the like, may be used to distinguishone entity or element from another entity or element without necessarilyrequiring or implying any physical or logical relationship, or orderbetween such entities or elements.

The embodiments described herein generally relate to a dual compartmentcontainer constructed and arranged for mixing of ingredients disposedwithin the container. The dual compartment container may include a body,top or lid, and bottom, wherein the dual compartment container may begenerally cylindrical.

The body, top, and bottom of the dual compartment container may defineat least one compartment constructed and arranged for storing contents.The dual compartment container may include a seal member disposed withinthe compartment, thereby separating the compartment into a firstcompartment and a second compartment. Each of the first compartment andsecond compartment may contain similar or distinct fluids, powders,solids, or the like. According to some embodiments, the dual compartmentcontainer may be made wholly or partially of metal such as tin, steel,aluminum or may include polymer such as a transparent plastic such thata user may see the separated first compartment and second compartmentand the contents contained therein prior to opening and the mixing ofthe contents in the first compartment and second compartment afteropening. Other appropriate materials may make up any of the componentsof the invention and the examples provided should not be consideredlimiting.

A tab opening or similar can opener may be integrated with the top orbottom of the dual compartment container and may be constructed andarranged to function as a lever such that when one portion of the tab islifted by a user, the opposite end of the tab may exert force on atleast a portion of the top or bottom of the dual compartment containerin order to puncture or break an opening within the top or bottom. Insome instances, the top or bottom may include a scored tongueconstructed and arranged to break along the score when force is exertedby the tab on the tongue. The tab may be constructed and arranged tosimultaneously open the dual compartment container and break or puncturethe seal member between the first compartment and the secondcompartment.

According to some embodiments, at least a portion of the tab may beconstructed and arranged to hingedly travel into a portion of the firstcompartment and abut, break, or puncture the seal member. In someembodiments, at least a portion of the tab may be constructed andarranged to hingedly travel into a portion of the first compartment andpuncture, break, or otherwise create a through hole in the seal membersuch that the contents of the first compartment and the secondcompartment may mix together by passing through the through hole in theseal member. According to some embodiments, the tab may include apuncture mechanism extending from a portion of the tab, the puncturemechanism being constructed and arranged to puncture, break, orotherwise create a through hole in the seal member.

The seal member may be integrated within the dual compartment containerand may include any suitable material for separating the firstcompartment from the second compartment such as, but not limited to,polymer, metal, or the like.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a multilayer drinking cansystem 100 including a body 102 having a generally cylindrical sidewall,a bottom, and a top or lid. The top may include a scored tongue 106. Atab 104 may be pivotably or rotatably secured to a portion of the topsuch that the tab 104 may function as a lever to exert force on thetongue 106 constructed and arranged to break along the score when forceis exerted by the tab on the tongue.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an opening mechanism 200 for amultilayer drinking can system that may include a tab 204 such as a cantab which may be connected to a portion of a top or lid of a containersuch that the tab 204 may pivot on the lid. The tab 204 may beconstructed and arranged to exert force on a tongue 206 of the top orlid. At least one puncture mechanism 208 may be disposed on the tongue206, and in some embodiments, on the bottom of the tongue 206. Accordingto some variations, the puncture mechanism 208 may be generally spikeshaped, cone shaped, hook shaped, or any other arrangement sufficientfor piercing, puncturing, or breaking the seal member. According to someembodiments, the puncture mechanism 208 may include a plurality ofpuncture mechanisms 208.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a multilayer drinking cansystem 300 having a body 302 and a seal member 320 disposed within thebody, the body 302 and seal member 320 defining a first compartment 318and a second compartment 314. The multilayer drinking can system 300 mayinclude a top 320 having a tongue 306, the tongue 306 being constructedand arranged to at least partially break or bend away from the top 320to define a first through hole 316 in the multilayer drinking can system300. A tab 304 may be pivotably connected to the top 320 constructed andarranged to apply a force to the tongue 306 to facilitate defining thefirst through hole 316. The tongue 306 may include a puncture mechanism308 constructed and arranged to puncture, rip, break, or otherwise passthrough a portion of the seal member 320 to define a second through hole308 in the seal member 320. In this way, the first compartment 318 andthe second compartment 314 may be in fluid communication with oneanother by simultaneously opening the dual compartment container 300 andpuncturing the seal member 320.

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a multilayerdrinking can system 400 having a seal member 410 disposed therein anddefining a first compartment 418 and a second compartment 414. Themultilayer drinking can system 400 may have a top 420 removably attachedto the body 402 and in mechanical communication with a tab 404 such thatthe tab 404 may force the top 420 away from the body 402 to define afirst through hole. The top 402, tab 404, or both may have a puncturemechanism 408 disposed on or integrated therewith such that when the tab404 is used, force may be exerted on the top 402 in order to open themultilayer drinking can system 400 and puncture the seal member 410 viathe puncture mechanism 408.

The following description of variants is only illustrative ofcomponents, elements, acts, products, and methods considered to bewithin the scope of the invention and are not in any way intended tolimit such scope by what is specifically disclosed or not expressly setforth. The components, elements, acts, products, and methods asdescribed herein may be combined and rearranged other than as expresslydescribed herein and are still considered to be within the scope of theinvention.

According to variation 1, multilayer drinking can system including acontainer including a body and a top opposite a bottom, the containerdefining a primary compartment therein; a seal member disposed withinthe body such that the primary compartment includes a first compartmentand a second compartment; wherein the top includes a tongue constructedand arranged to at least partially break away from the top to define afirst through hole in fluid communication with the first compartment; atab pivotably connected to the top constructed and arranged to applyforce to the tongue to facilitate defining the first through hole; and apuncture mechanism attached to the tongue constructed and arranged topass through a portion of the seal member to define a second throughhole such that the first compartment and second compartment are in fluidcommunication.

Variation 2 may include a multilayer drinking can system as in variation1 wherein the container is generally cylindrical.

Variation 3 may include a multilayer drinking can system as in any ofvariations 1 or 2 wherein the container is transparent.

Variation 4 may include a multilayer drinking can system as in any ofvariations 1 or 3 wherein the body is transparent.

Variation 5 may include a multilayer drinking can system as in any ofvariations 1 or 4 wherein the puncture mechanism includes at least oneof a spike, hook, rod, or cone.

Variation 6 may include a multilayer drinking can system as in any ofvariations 1 or 5 wherein the puncture mechanism includes a plurality ofpuncture mechanisms.

Variation 7 may include a multilayer drinking can system as in any ofvariations 1 or 6 wherein the first compartment is defined above thesecond compartment.

Variation 8 may include a multilayer drinking can system as in any ofvariations 1 or 7 wherein the top defines a scored channel at leastpartially separating the tongue from the top.

Variation 9 may include a multilayer drinking can system as in any ofvariations 1 or 8 wherein the first compartment includes a firstcontent.

Variation 10 may include a multilayer drinking can system as in any ofvariations 1 or 9 wherein the second compartment includes a secondcontent.

Variation 11 may include a multilayer drinking can system as in any ofvariations 1 or 10 wherein the multilayer drinking can system isconstructed and arranged to simultaneously define the first through holeand the second through hole.

Variation 12 may include a multilayer drinking can system as in any ofvariations 1 or 11 wherein the seal member includes metal.

According to variation 13, a multilayer drinking can system may includea generally cylindrical container including a body and a top opposite abottom, the container defining a primary compartment therein; a sealmember disposed within the body such that the primary compartmentincludes a first compartment above a second compartment; wherein the topincludes a scored channel defining a tongue constructed and arranged toat least partially break away from the top to define a first throughhole in fluid communication with the first compartment; a tab pivotablyconnected to the top constructed and arranged to apply force to thetongue to facilitate defining the first through hole; and a puncturemechanism including at least one of a spike, hook, rod, or cone attachedto the tongue and being constructed and arranged to pass through aportion of the seal member to define a second through hole such that thefirst compartment and second compartment are in fluid communication.

Variation 14 may include multilayer drinking can system as in variation13 wherein the body is transparent.

Variation 15 may include a multilayer drinking can system as in any ofvariations 13 or 14 wherein the puncture mechanism includes a pluralityof puncture mechanisms.

Variation 16 may include a multilayer drinking can system as in any ofvariations 13 or 15 wherein the first compartment includes a firstcontent.

Variation 17 may include a multilayer drinking can system as in any ofvariations 13 or 16 wherein the second compartment includes a secondcontent.

Variation 18 may include a multilayer drinking can system as in any ofvariations 13 or 17 wherein the multilayer drinking can system isconstructed and arranged to simultaneously define the first through holeand the second through hole.

Variation 19 may include a multilayer drinking can system as in any ofvariations 13 or 18 wherein the seal member includes a polymer.

According to variation 20, a multilayer drinking can system may includea generally cylindrical container including a transparent body and a topopposite a bottom, the container defining a primary compartment therein;a seal member disposed within the body such that the primary compartmentincludes a first compartment above a second compartment; wherein the topis constructed and arranged to at least partially break away from thebody to define a first through hole in fluid communication with thefirst compartment; a tab pivotably connected to the top constructed andarranged to apply force to the top to facilitate defining the firstthrough hole; and a puncture mechanism including at least one of aspike, hook, rod, or cone attached to the tongue and being constructedand arranged to pass through a portion of the seal member to define asecond through hole such that the first compartment and secondcompartment are in fluid communication.

Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connectionwith the above description and the drawings. It will be understood thatit would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to describe andillustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments.Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/orcombination, and the present specification, including the drawings,shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of allcombinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein,and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shallsupport claims to any such combination or subcombination.

An equivalent substitution of two or more elements can be made for anyone of the elements in the claims below or that a single element can besubstituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements canbe described above as acting in certain combinations and even initiallyclaimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or moreelements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised fromthe combination and that the claimed combination can be directed to asubcombination or variation of a subcombination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentembodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. A variety of modifications and variations arepossible in light of the above teachings without departing from thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multilayer drinking can system comprising acontainer comprising a body and a top opposite a bottom, the containerdefining a primary compartment therein; a seal member disposed withinthe body such that the primary compartment comprises a first compartmentand a second compartment; wherein the top comprises a tongue constructedand arranged to at least partially break away from the top to define afirst through hole in fluid communication with the first compartment; atab pivotably connected to the top constructed and arranged to applyforce to the tongue to facilitate defining the first through hole; and apuncture mechanism attached to the tongue constructed and arranged topass through a portion of the seal member to define a second throughhole such that the first compartment and second compartment are in fluidcommunication.
 2. A multilayer drinking can system as in claim 1 whereinthe container is generally cylindrical.
 3. A multilayer drinking cansystem as in claim 1 wherein the container is transparent.
 4. Amultilayer drinking can system as in claim 1 wherein the body istransparent.
 5. A multilayer drinking can system as in claim 1 whereinthe puncture mechanism comprises at least one of a spike, hook, rod, orcone.
 6. A multilayer drinking can system as in claim 1 wherein thepuncture mechanism comprises a plurality of puncture mechanisms.
 7. Amultilayer drinking can system as in claim 1 wherein the firstcompartment is defined above the second compartment.
 8. A multilayerdrinking can system as in claim 1 wherein the top defines a scoredchannel at least partially separating the tongue from the top.
 9. Amultilayer drinking can system as in claim 1 wherein the firstcompartment comprises a first content.
 10. A multilayer drinking cansystem as in claim 1 wherein the second compartment comprises a secondcontent.
 11. A multilayer drinking can system as in claim 1 wherein themultilayer drinking can system is constructed and arranged tosimultaneously define the first through hole and the second throughhole.
 12. A multilayer drinking can system as in claim 1 wherein theseal member comprises metal.
 13. A multilayer drinking can systemcomprising a generally cylindrical container comprising a body and a topopposite a bottom, the container defining a primary compartment therein;a seal member disposed within the body such that the primary compartmentcomprises a first compartment above a second compartment; wherein thetop comprises a scored channel defining a tongue constructed andarranged to at least partially break away from the top to define a firstthrough hole in fluid communication with the first compartment; a tabpivotably connected to the top constructed and arranged to apply forceto the tongue to facilitate defining the first through hole; and apuncture mechanism comprising at least one of a spike, hook, rod, orcone attached to the tongue and being constructed and arranged to passthrough a portion of the seal member to define a second through holesuch that the first compartment and second compartment are in fluidcommunication.
 14. A multilayer drinking can system as in claim 1wherein the body is transparent.
 15. A multilayer drinking can system asin claim 1 wherein the puncture mechanism comprises a plurality ofpuncture mechanisms.
 16. A multilayer drinking can system as in claim 1wherein the first compartment comprises a first content.
 17. Amultilayer drinking can system as in claim 1 wherein the secondcompartment comprises a second content.
 18. A multilayer drinking cansystem as in claim 1 wherein the multilayer drinking can system isconstructed and arranged to simultaneously define the first through holeand the second through hole.
 19. A multilayer drinking can system as inclaim 1 wherein the seal member comprises a polymer.
 20. A multilayerdrinking can system comprising a generally cylindrical containercomprising a transparent body and a top opposite a bottom, the containerdefining a primary compartment therein; a seal member disposed withinthe body such that the primary compartment comprises a first compartmentabove a second compartment; wherein the top is constructed and arrangedto at least partially break away from the body to define a first throughhole in fluid communication with the first compartment; a tab pivotablyconnected to the top constructed and arranged to apply force to the topto facilitate defining the first through hole; and a puncture mechanismcomprising at least one of a spike, hook, rod, or cone attached to thetongue and being constructed and arranged to pass through a portion ofthe seal member to define a second through hole such that the firstcompartment and second compartment are in fluid communication.